Inclusion in special education programs is an important part of the continuum of special education placements required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Inclusion refers to the practice of educating children with learning disabilities and other types of disabilities in the regular education classroom.
The IDEA requires placement decisions to be made on an individual basis according to each child's needs. Schools must educate children least restrictive environment (LRE) with appropriate specially designed instruction (SDI) and supports necessary to implement their individual education programs(IEPs). The LRE is different for every child.
Inclusion is one of several placement options on the continuum of special education placements required by IDEA. Options include:
- Inclusion in the regular classroom with collaboration;
- Part time placement in a regular classroom with support in a special education resource classroom;
- Full time placement in a special education resource room;
- Part time placement in a self-contained special education classroom;
- Full time placement in a self-contained special education program;
- Part time placement in a day treatment, therapeutic program, or special school;
- Full time placement in a day treatment, therapeutic program, or special school; and
- Placement in a residential, hospital, or home program.
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